Vigil plans to celebrate life of Seaham girl who died at T in the Park

Fiona Thompson

A vigil will be held for a teenage girl found dead at a music festival as her home town rallies round to show support for her family.

People have been invited to gather together on Seaham’s seafront from 7pm on Thursday evening as candles are lit and balloons are released in honour of Megan Bell in her home town.

Laura Ward, who has set up an appeal to raise funds in memory of Megan Bell, 17, from Seaham, and organised a seafront vigil for people to show their support for her family.

The death of the 17-year-old former St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy student at last weekend’s T in the Park festival in Perthshire, Scotland, has left her friends devastated, with dozens of tributes left to the “beautiful girl.”

Family friend Laura Ward has set up a Just Giving page called ‘Flowers For Megan’ to raise funds, and has organised the vigil, which will be held on the cliff tops near Seaham Marina and pit wheel.

The page has already raised more than £1,160, with supporters adding their messages of support and sympathy.

The appeal says: “Beautiful girl just starting her life and it was sadly taken in tragic circumstances.

It’s such a tragedy and I want to make sure they have all the support they can get.

Laura Ward

“Let’s come together and show our support to Megan’s family who are dealing with a horrific ordeal.”

Laura, 28, who runs We Switch Ltd energy brokerage in Sunderland city centre, said: “I just felt like I wanted to do something, so I started the page.

“People said they wanted to donate to the family.

“It’s such a tragedy and I want to make sure they have all the support they can get.

“It’s heart wrenching.

“Thursday is for anybody who wants to come along.

“It will be a celebration of her life and a chance to say goodbye.”

Officers are investigating Megan’s death, as well as the death of a 17-year-old boy from the west of Scotland.

Police Scotland has confirmed that the force is providing support to the families of both teenagers.

They are not thought to be linked and are not being treated as suspicious.

The Police Scotland Gold commander for the event, Chief Superintendent Angela McLaren said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the two young people involved.”